UFC statement on releasing Rousimar Palhares due to 'unsportsmanlike conduct'

The UFC has issued a statement following the release of veteran UFC welterweight Rousimar Palhares due to “unsportsmanlike conduct.”

MMAjunkie.com passed along news of the release on Thursday, a day after Palhares (15-5 MMA, 8-4 UFC) submitted Mike Pierce (17-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 29 but refused to immediately break the leg lock. It wasn’t the first such instance.

In the UFC’s statement, the organization references Palhares’ previous suspension in 2010, when he failed to immediately break a hold on Tomasz Drwal, as well as one in 2012, when he failed a drug test due to elevated testosterone levels.

The full statement:

As announced by UFC president Dana White, the UFC organization has elected to terminate its contract with Rousimar Palhares based on repeated incidents of unsportsmanlike conduct violating the UFC Fighter Code of Conduct and his Promotional Agreement with Zuffa, LLC.

At ‘UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Shields’ on Oct. 9, 2013, Palhares won his welterweight bout against Mike Pierce via heel hook submission in 31 seconds. Pierce appeared to tap several times physically and verbally and the ref intervened physically before Palhares let go. Despite being the only submission win on the card, Palhares was denied the Submission of the Night bonus. Managing Director of International Development Marshall Zelaznik announced at the post-fight press conference that the local commission would be investigating the length of time that Palhares held the submission.

The controversy is not Palhares’ first: In 2010, the New Jersey State Athletic Commission suspended Palhares for 90 days following his heel hook win over Tomasz Drwal at UFC 111 for not letting go after the referee stoppage.

In 2012, Palhares was again suspended for nine months after testing positive for elevated testosterone after UFC on FX 6.

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.